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Saturday, July 30, 2016

When we knit we follow a written pattern unless we are creating our own. Either way there's a universal way it's done. There are instructions of some sort that must be followed stitch by stitch to achieve the final result. We may vary in our method of knitting. I knit Continental style, which is actually the German method. My working yarn is held in my left hand and I "pick" rather than "throw" as in the English/American method. But still the knitting process is pretty much the same and our finished work looks the same no matter what method of knitting we've used. I think it's what we do while we are knitting that makes us truly unique as knitters. Those things that nobody but we ourselves know we routinely do.

If you stop and think about it, you know what I mean. Like me, I'm sure you have those things you do too. It's almost like our own inner built formula that we instinctively follow, especially for those of us who have been knitting for years now. Time goes by so quickly and I'm amazed when I realize I have been knitting now for thirty one years. I've been crocheting even longer. So I have definitely developed some habits at this point that I gravitate towards when I pick up my yarn and my needles or hooks.

The very first thing I always do, without fail, is put the kettle on. For me there's no knitting without a cup of tea. It's just part of the process. The part that is comforting, calming and centering. The next thing I do, if I am around the house by myself, is turn on an audiobook. I use the Play Away version with earbuds during the months I knit on the porch swing. If I can't actually read a book then I love to be read to. I love stories and books of all kinds. During the colder months I have my favorite chair or two to sit in when I knit inside the house. Sometimes I even sit in the kitchen on a sunny day with my knitting.

Now, here's where things get very personal for me. I have a habit that I don't often share with others. As I knit or crochet, I pray for the person who will receive the item I am working on. Oftentimes so much of my work ends up being for someone I don't know and will never know because it gets sold online. Much of my work also gets sold at a Craft Faire and even though I meet these people face to face it can be such a frenetic scene of shoppers that at the end of each day it's not always easy to remember who bought what. Although I would like to say that I am a people person and I always have a sense when I am making certain things that they are for a specific person and when that particular item is sold I usually make a connection with the customer. Not only do I remember these people but they sometimes pop back up in my life. There is a reason for the things we are compelled to do with our time and talents. God always has a plan.

But as I said, while I am knitting I am praying. I love making baby items and praying for the babies who will wear them. Praying for their health and happiness and that God will guard and guide them in this world they have been so newly brought into seems like a good idea to me.

Sometimes I have the advantage of knowing either who the mommy to be is or the name of the baby so I can pray specifically for them. This purple hat is going to a friend of my daughters. Chelsea wanted a flower added to it to make it even more girlie. I make so many of these hats for gifts and to sell. They are popular because they are so easy to make for either a boy or a girl.

Just like the apple hat. I think it's a nice unisex baby hat as well. So, as I knit around and around I just keep praying. Then when an item is done my finishing touch is always one more prayer. I lay my hands on it and pray over it before it gets packaged to send off in the mail or before it is tagged for a sale or given as a gift. I do this with every single item I make. Right down to things people don't wear like stuffed bunnies and pumpkins. Not only do I want the recipient of the article to be blessed by the work of my hands, because receiving something new and especially handmade, is always fun, but more importantly, I want them to be blessed in their lives whether I ever know them or not. God knows them and He knows their needs. I trust the unseen to Him.

I'll be honest, I feel rather exposed by sharing this here. It's just something I do that comes naturally to me. I get comfy with my tea, I knit and I pray. I turn the audiobook off when I'm really praying for specific things so it doesn't distract me. Praying for the person who will own what I am making has always seemed like the right thing to do to me. I've just always done it without giving it much thought. Maybe that seems odd to someone else or maybe many of you do the same thing.

I would love to hear from you about what method of knitting you use, where you enjoy sitting to knit or crochet and what your own unique rituals are that you do routinely as you take up your own yarn, hooks and needles.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

To say this has been an unusual summer for me would be putting it rather mildly. This has been a season of unforeseen events in my life. Summertime has always been my favorite and I look forward to it wholeheartedly every year. Due to the fact I struggle with rheumatoid diseases, I always feel my best during the warmer months. Generally my days include some portion of time spent on my porch swing with my knitting and a cup of tea. However, since I got sick in the middle of June with bronchitis and this beastly asthma flared, the course of my summer took a turn I didn't see coming. Even my dogs are confused. They always join me on the porch and every time I open the front door for any reason they rush forward in anticipation. But I cannot breathe out there, especially not in the ghastly heat and humidity we have been enduring in the Midwest lately. This is all rather disappointing to me because I have never been one to love staying inside on a beautiful sunny day and I'm not typically a lover of air conditioning...
That is until I discovered I can't breathe without it these days.
Oh well. I know, as with all things, this too shall pass.

Another issue I've been having along with the inability to breathe is that from coughing so much and so hard from the asthma, I have a broken rib. Well let me tell you, it's a real pain in the side. The whole side. I saw the doctor on Friday and she said that sadly there's nothing to be done for a broken rib except wait for it to heal and take pain medication. Fortunately, I am quite used to chronic pain and have been since I was a child. This is one of those instances when that comes in handy. Don't get me wrong, it hurts to do absolutely everything. Mostly it hurts when I lay down, therefore I have a hard time sleeping at night. But I am used to coping with, and working around, constant pain. Honestly, at times like this, just like when I broke my foot in two places a few years ago, I see this as a blessing. I feel sad for people who have no experience with pain and suddenly they break a bone or, worse, they get a diagnosis for a rheumatoid disease and they suffer so badly. I hurt more for them than I do for me. This is when there's something to be said for being a "lifer".

Anyway, of course the other thing I did not see coming was my sister's situation. We are still waiting for a firm diagnosis. One thing we know for sure from a sonogram last week is that she definitely has a diseased gall bladder with a spot on it that the oncologist strongly suspects to be malignant. The gall bladder has to be removed but she is not strong enough for surgery at this point. Another oncologist is being called in to work with the first one. She is still self injecting B12 and is still taking mega doses of prescription iron. She is currently staying with our parents in their home. She had a fall nearly three weeks ago due to a fainting spell from weakness. In the fall she gashed her neck and ruptured an ear drum when her head hit a table. So while she rests and regains her strength she spends her days surrounded by her family. We are a very close knit family and I'm so thankful that we all live right here in the same town so we can look after one another when need be.

Now, with all this being said, I don't want to give the impression that I am downhearted here. Honestly, I truly am not. I have said it over and over and I will say it again. Quite simply, I am happy.

There's so much in my life that brings me joy. I have so much to be thankful for. Let me say right here and now I have gained a new perspective on quite literally being thankful for every breath I take. So many of them don't come easy these days. That just makes each and every one all the more precious.

Also, Bridget is holding up exceptionally well. I have received so many messages on her behalf and she and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your love and prayers mean more to my family at this time than words can ever say. We feel God's love surrounding us through the outpouring of His people and we
Thank You.

Just to show you I am not languishing here, I have a recipe to share.

It's what I made for my knitting group last night. You know me, as long as I have some yarn to play with and can do a little baking, I've had a good day.

This one was easy on my broken rib because it took very little prep time and it's mostly no bake, which is nice on a hot summer day. It's my own concoction.
I hope you like it.

Once pie plate and crust are completely cool, spread pie filling on top.

Return to refrigerator.
Chill for at least 4 hours.

Enjoy!

I would like to finish by thanking the kind people of Galena, Illinois for featuring the blog post I did on my recent mother/daughter trip to their lovely town on their official website.
I am truly honored.
Galena is a place of magic for my husband and me.
We look forward to walking your streets again as soon as possible.

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Today's world can make it very challenging to keep our main focus where it needs to be. Too often things of the world move to the foreground and matters of the heart become somewhat blurred as we run through the busyness of our days, barely able to catch a breath. No matter who we are, where we live, what we spend our time doing, it happens to all of us at some point. Life just takes hold of us from behind, it would seem, and steers us along before we realize it.

But suddenly there are those things, or moments, that come along and cause us to stop in our tracks. They give us pause and fill our hearts to overflowing again. Like holding a newborn baby in our arms whether it be our own child or our grandchild. Breathing in that sweet smell... So fresh from God... Well, there's nothing that really even compares to it. Suddenly all the fibers of our being are at once more calmed and somehow more fully alive at the same time. Deep down inside we have the comfort of knowing that this moment will be ours for a lifetime. These are the things that soften and shape us. They are our blessings and joys along this pathway of life.
Then there are those times when life throws us an unexpected curve.

Anyone who has either had cancer or been touched by it closely knows what I mean here. One moment we are sailing along, then the next moment ... well... there's a bolder in the road. What I'd like to say is this, we already know all of the bad things that go along with this dreaded illness but what some people may not realize is that, as in all things we struggle with in this world, there are good things that come out of it as well.
Although my husband still has a rash that comes and goes from the massive amount of radiation treatments he received and his energy level is not what it used to be, I stand in awe of all he is and does and can accomplish. Of course, I have to say, I have always felt this way about him really.
But let me insert this here, cancer never leaves anyone unchanged.
Scott has always been gentle natured, tender hearted, soft spoken and is more concerned for others than he is for himself. God put all of those things in his original blueprint. I have watched him, however, in the nearly five years since his battle with pancreatic cancer, and I see all of these things fine tuned to an even greater perfection in him. He laughs more often, hugs his children and grandchildren a little longer and tighter than even before. He cries with abandon when he is moved to do so. He has an endless well of compassion for others. He spends countless hours taking care of everyone in the family, including me. He never complains about anything. I believe he enjoys his family on a deeper level now. I think he pauses more often to soak in the beauty around him.
I'm not saying it's ever easy to go through any hardship that life brings our way. What I am saying is that God really does bring good out of it all though. He reminds us to focus in on what matters most in life. He fine tunes our character and softens our rough edges. Trust me, I got some much needed repair work throughout the whole process as well. One thing I know for sure is that I'd like to be just like my husband when I grow up someday; full of kindness. What else really matters in this world we wander after all, more than our kindness towards each other?
Nothing I can think of.

One last thing I would like to share with you is this hat I just finished knitting.

As I have walked from room to room at the Peoria Cancer Center I've noticed baskets in each room that are full of handmade hats for the patients to help themselves to. I decided that the next time I go with my sister, which will be tomorrow, I wanted to have something to toss in one of those baskets. God has blessed me abundantly and I want to give back in this very small way. So I knitted a hat. I used Knit Picks Organic Cotton thinking it would be a good choice for patients going through treatments because I know oftentimes their skin can be sensitive. This fiber is ultra soft and the cotton was grown organically. This is its natural color, free of dye. There are no chemicals whatsoever on this yarn. I hope my small gift is a blessing to someone special.

Friday, July 15, 2016

This is what a dictionary has to say about this elusive word/state of being:

plainness of style,

lack of pride,

freedom from deceit,

freedom from complexity,

simplicity of expression,

absence of pretentiousness,

directness,

honesty,

humility,

wholeness,

unity,

sincerity

and

naturalness.

Well now.

So very simple and yet mighty profound.

There's a whole lot going on in that word.

Things I'd like to be a part of or shall we say ...
Things I'd like to be a part of me.

Notice there's some freedom involved too.

Jesus knew all about simplicity...

"Feed My sheep."

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones..."
"Love one another."

He knew it was all about meeting people right where they were

at that very moment.

He still knows that.

I watched Him do it for hours through the amazing staff

and volunteers of the Peoria Cancer Center on Tuesday.

Although nobody ever wants to find themselves in a cancer center,

I have to say I was completely blessed by the entire experience.

The love and care they give to each and every patient is hard to describe.

They are not just working, they are ministering.

What they are really doing is quite simply feeding sheep and giving cups of water.
Their days are defined by the simple act of "love one another".

Not only are they starting IV's but they are constantly wrapping people in

warm blankets, kind words, soft touches and sweet smiles.

The volunteers provide a continual feast of food and drink as well.

We were there for just over four hours while they did blood work
on Bridget and discovered she was dehydrated.

When she realized it would take two hours to be hydrated
she tried to tell them no.

She was concerned because her mother and sister were with her
and she felt like that was too long of a wait for us.

Ummm.... "No....That's what we're here for ... to let them take care of you,

no matter how long it takes."

We didn't care if it took all day long.

I told her that's why I brought my knitting along, so stop trying to get out of it.

I was so thankful to be there with her.
So happy to get her a drink of hot water

to warm herself when she couldn't get up.

And to adjust a pillow behind her back when she got sore from sitting so long.

Just being there, the three of us together, made the time go easier for her.

She also had to learn to self inject Vitamin B while we were there.

No biggie as she used to be a phlebotomist and is very good with a needle.

We still have no diagnosis but should have in a couple of weeks.

She has some more testing to go through.

It's all pointing to a blood cancer of some sort.

For all she's going through,

Bridget says she feels the peace of God on her.

She has no fear.

I think she might just have this whole simplicity thing figured out.

True simplicity of the heart and soul.

Although I wasn't able to be with her for her first visit to the cancer center

because I was too sick with bronchitis,

I have to tell you just a little bit about that experience as well.

There's a wonderful husband and wife who volunteer there.

The wife is a breast cancer survivor.

As soon as Bridget stepped inside the building they could see she was cold.

It was very rainy and unseasonably chilly that day.

The man came running with a heated blanket and wrapped her in it.

Once she sat down he proceeded to swaddle her in two more heated blankets.

Then along came his wife who sat with her and prayed with her.

After talking with her for quite some time she left for a short bit then came back.

She gave her this crocheted blanket from the donations telling her

she knew it was made just for her.

I can't even tell you how this blessed my sister.

This blanket is never far from her now.

She even took it back with her on her second trip. It's very cold in that building.
It also blessed me beyond measure to know that God had someone
taking such exceptional care of my sister and mother on a day I could not.

Hmmm...

Simplicity...

I think it has a whole lot to do with love.

I think it's when the very smallest things become the greatest things.

My daughter Chelsea came with Parker so we could take a little walk uptown.

Gabby had spent the night over with us and was already here.

Just a couple of blocks up the street is a favorite coffee and tea shop

we love to visit called Leaves N Beans.

Although Parker is a Big Boy who likes to sit in his own chair,

he also has to have his Sissy sit with him from time to time.

At one point I stepped inside for a glass of Iced Peppermint Tea

and Parker had to "Go with Grammy!".

There's a snack bar with tall barstools at the window so, of course,

he had to sit on one of those.

You should have heard the laughter when

Gabby turned around and he caught her eye.

Is there anything in the world that comes close

to the beauty of the laughter of a child?

If so, I haven't experienced it yet.
One of the best parts of having them here is
they always leave a piece of themselves behind
so that even when they're gone
I know my world has been graced by their beauty.

The gorgeous purple flowers in the first photo were discovered on our way home.

They were too pretty to pass by without capturing a quick snapshot.

These lovely yellow tulips were given to my mother

by my father for her birthday last week.

I am so thankful for my family.

Each and every one of them a blessing in their own way.

As you read this today I am with my sister at the Cancer Center in Peoria.

Welcome to My Happy Place

Hi, I'm Danette. I am currently pursuing a degree in Arts/English. I work as a Writing Consultant at Illinois Central College in the Writing Studio. I have a lifelong passion for the written word and fiber arts. I've been shipping my handknits worldwide for several years. I thank God every day just for the joy of being alive. My wish is to inspire, encourage, delight, and inform you. May you find hope and rest for your soul as you enjoy the moments you spend in this place.